Canadian Health Network

Send this to a friend Print-friendly version How can I make safe connections on the Internet? Managing the Internet Online dangers Past Articles Subscribe to our Healthlink newsletter

oung people are increasingly using new technologies - cell phone text messaging, chat rooms, online games, instant messaging and the Internet - as part of their regular socializing activities. An astonishing 99% of Canadian teens have access to the Internet and 70% of youth online use instant messaging to chat with friends. (The Canadian Interactive Report: Understanding Canada and the Internet, Ipsos Reid Canada, 2004)

These new opportunities to connect come with new risks of being harassed or bullied or exposed to sexual predators online. In 2003, some 25 % of girls reported having contact with a stranger online that made them feel unsafe. Cyber-bullying in the form of intimidation in chat rooms, threats and harassment through instant messages, or hateful web sites, (for example, sites that let viewers vote for the ugliest kid in school), present new challenges to keep teens safe online.

			Looking for more information on Internet safety for children and teens?
			Here are some excellent web sites for more information on cyber-bullying and online safety as well what to do if someone has made you feel unsafe online. Media Awareness To help parents, teachers and librarians meet the challenge of educating children about the Internet, Media Awareness Network has developed a public awareness program called Web Awareness Canada. This program offers practical resources to help give kids the "cybersmarts" they need to make safe and responsible online decisions. Cool game for kids on understanding privacy. CyberBullying - This website has loads of information about cyberbullying, tips on how to prevent it and a ton of resources to tap into. Lots of Canadian Sources here. RCMP Internet Safety Site - A factsheet with helpful tips on how to keep children and youth safe on the Internet as well as places to report unacceptable behaviour and sites. Wired Safety - Wired Safety provides help, information and education to Internet and mobile device users of all ages. It handles cases of cyberabuse ranging from identity and credential theft, online fraud and cyberstalking, to hacking and malicious code attacks. Chat Danger - A United Kingdom site about the potential dangers of interactive technologies such as online chat, Instant Messaging, online games, email and cell phones.

Emotional and physical safety are not the only Internet safety issues for teens. Young people are constantly targeted by advertising strategies tailored to sell them things. The promise of free 'stuff' in online contests and surveys, and even some games (known as 'advergames'), are often disguised marketing ploys to sell products and services to the lucrative youth market.

Fortunately, there is an abundance of good information available on how to stay safe and how to spot marketing schemes online. Young people can learn how to protect their identities and personal information and how to recognize advertising tactics so that they can surf the Internet safely.

• Protect your privacy! Never give out personal information online (real name, names of friends or family, address, telephone number, cell number, private email address, picture, school name, or even sports team name). Online friends can often feel very close, but they are still strangers and giving out personal information can make you vulnerable to sexual predators, scams and other people who may want to take advantage of you.
• Use a nickname, not your real name, and a nickname that is not going to attract the wrong type of attention - e.g. Spankme69 will likely attract creepy people who are interested in sexual content.
• Keep to chat rooms that are moderated so bullying behaviour can be reported and stopped.
• Never meet an Internet friend alone - always have a parent or guardian or other friend with you if you arrange to meet an Internet friend, and meet in a public place.
• Don't open a message from someone you don't know - or check first with your parents, guardian or other adult.
• Trust your instincts - if you find something that makes you feel uncomfortable or that you don't like, get out of the chat room or web site, turn the computer off and tell an adult you trust.
• Be wary of online surveys as they are often mechanisms to get consumer contact information to use for selling things. Also, marketing companies will often sell this information to other companies who want to sell you more things.
• Take initiative: Report unsafe web sites to Internet service providers (ISPs), media or police. Report threatening behaviour to chat moderators or web site owners.
• Get help If you find you are a victim of cyber-bullying. Talk to your parents, teachers or other adults, and remember there are many sources of help, including the police, your ISP or telecommunications.

New communication technologies create great opportunities for socializing and getting to know people. By protecting their privacy and trusting their instincts, teens can ensure their time online is safe and enjoyable.